Object carriers and lighted tags for an object control and tracking system

ABSTRACT

Object carriers are provided for use with an object tracking and control system of the type having a storage receptacle with a tray provided with an array of slots for receiving ID tags bearing touch memory devices. A computer-based controller is provided for detecting the absence or presence and identity of ID tags disposed in the slots. The carrier of this invention includes a container with an openable panel for placing objects in and removing objects from the carrier. A thin plastic tongue projects from the carrier and bears a touch memory device. Carriers bearing objects to be tracked are placed in the storage receptacle with their tongues extending into the slots of the receptacle. The controller can thus detect and log the removal and replacement of the carrier in the storage receptacle. In one embodiment, the opening and closing of the carrier when it is not stored in the receptacle is detected and logged for tracking access to the carrier in more detail. The invention also includes lighted key tags for use with an object tracking system. Lighted key tags stored in an object tracking system are adapted to emit light when their attached keys are requested by a user. A portion of the key tag may be formed of transparent material that forms a light guide through which the light is transmitted.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/005,235 filed on Dec. 5, 2001, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/792,987 filed Feb.26, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,501,379, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/393,225 filed Sep. 9, 1999, now U.S. Pat.No. 6,195,005, which, in turn, claims the benefit of the filing date ofU.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/099,954 filed Sep. 11,1998.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This invention relates generally to object tracking and controlsystems and more particularly to enhancements usable with such systemsfor tracking larger or collections of keys and loose objects other thankeys.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Many objects have intrinsic value or have value because theyprovide access to other valuable objects. For instance, jewelry andcoins have inherent and intrinsic value while keys, such as keys tovehicles, have value because they provide access to other valuableobjects, namely automobiles and trucks. Further, access to and controlof some items, such as narcotics for example, needs to be monitored,tracked, and controlled to assure against unauthorized access or toassure that proper and appropriate access is catalogued. There is aserious need to be able to track, catalogue access to, and control suchobjects in a way that is reliable, simple to implement, and virtuallytamper proof.

[0004] In the past, a variety of systems have been implemented to trackand control objects. In the case of keys in an automobile dealership,for example, peg boards have been used to keep track of the keys assalespersons, maintenance personnel, and others remove keys for accessto vehicles. Generally, sign-out sheets have been used to log thecheck-in and check-out of such keys. Obviously, such a manual system oftracking has numerous shortcomings due in large part to the very realpotential of human error and forgetfulness in carrying out the sign-inand sign-out procedures.

[0005] More recently, automated computer controlled key tracking systemshave been implemented for tracking, for example, vehicle keys at carlots and keys to the apartments of apartment complexes. One such systemparticularly applicable to the present invention is the key trackingsystem disclosed and claimed in my U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,801,628; 6,075,441;6,317,044; 6,204,764; and 6,407,665, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated fully by reference. In this system, referred to herein asthe “Key Track” system, keys to a vehicle are attached with a rivet orthe like to a thin plastic key tag having a depending tongue. The tonguecarries a small button-shaped electronic touch memory device, whichstores a ID code. The tongues of the key tags are configured to beinsertable in an array of slots formed in a panel within a storagedrawer. A printed circuit back plane is disposed beneath the array ofslots and is provided with a plurality of pairs of metal contacts, eachpair of contacts being aligned with a corresponding one of the slots.When the tongue of a key tag is inserted in a selected one of the slots,its touch memory device is engaged by the corresponding pair ofcontacts.

[0006] A computer based controller is electronically coupled through adata matrix to the contacts on the back plane and periodically pollseach pair of contacts, preferably several times per second, to determinethe presence or absence of a touch memory device and thus which slotscontain key tags and which do not. When a slot contains a key tag, thetouch memory device of the tag is read to determine its ID code, fromwhich the identity of the particular key on the tag can be determinedthrough a table lookup. In this way, the absence or presence andlocation of the key tags and their associated keys can be noted by thecontroller each time the array of contacts are polled. If a tag presentin a slot on a prior polling is absent on a subsequent polling, then thecontroller notes that that the tag and its key has been removed from thestorage drawer. Conversely, if a key tag is detected in a previouslyempty slot, the controller notes that the tag and its key have beenreplaced in the storage drawer. The removal and replacement of keys istherefore continuously monitored.

[0007] An access feature requires an authorized user such a salespersonto enter an ID code to unlock and access the storage drawer. When thehistory of removal and replacement of key tags and their keys iscombined with other information, such as the time at which tags areremoved and replaced and the identities of the persons who accessed thedrawer and times of access, access to the keys in the drawer can becontrolled and a detailed tracking log can be created. This systemgreatly decreases instances of lost keys, reduces the time required tofind checked-out keys, and generally provides automatic tracking andcontrol of the keys, and thus, to a large extent, controls and tracksthe vehicles to which they provide access.

[0008] While the Key Track system described above has proven extremelyvaluable in the tracking and control of keys, it nevertheless has beenlimited somewhat in the situations to which it is readily applicable.For example, the tags used with the system are made of thin relativelyflat plastic material that generally provides for the attachment of asingle or only a few keys to the tag. It has been difficult to attach alarge collection of keys such as keys on a key ring and even moredifficult to attach larger special function keys such as keys thatincorporate electronic transmitters for locking and unlocking a carremotely. In these situations, it has been experienced that keys canfall or hang into the slots of the Key Track drawer and short out one ormore of the contacts on the backplane, resulting in system errors orfailure. While simply providing larger tags is helpful, it has notproven to be a complete solution. Furthermore, the system has generallybeen poorly applicable to the tracking of loose items such as, forexample, jewelry, narcotics, and the like because such items cannoteasily be attached to a tag. The present invention is intended toenhance and expand the basic Key Track system for application to theseand other situations.

[0009] Another relative shortcoming of present electronic key trackingsystems such as the Key Track system, and object tracking systems ingeneral, has been limitations resulting from the fact that the keys areonly detectable upon check-in and check-out at a central storagelocation. This has meant that tracking of keys has generally beenlimited to keeping a log of when the keys are physically removed andreplaced in a central storage receptacle. The disposition of keys in theinterim has not been trackable. Nevertheless, it is clearly useful totrack the movement and use of keys and other objects in the interimbetween the times when they are checked out and checked back in at thecentral storage location. For example, in the case of tracking use ofkeys to apartments by maintenance personnel, it is desirable to know notonly that a group of keys were checked out and checked back in atparticular times, but also when the keys were used in the interim toaccess apartments. such information can be useful, for example, whenclaims of theft or vandalism are levied against security personnel. Itcan also be useful in general security dispatching to insure thatsecurity guards check in at all required stations while making securityrounds and to log the activities of such guards during their rounds. Inthe tracking of narcotics at a hospital, it is desirable to know whenand by whom particular narcotics are checked out and checked back in andalso the time at which the narcotics are accessed in the interim betweencheck-out and check-in times. In this way, confirmation that patientsreceive the proper prescriptions at the proper times can easily be madeby referring to the resulting log of check-out, access, and check intimes. The basic Key Track system has not been readily applicable tosuch situations. Further, in prior Key Track systems, when a key isrequested by a user, the computer controller identifies the location ofthe key in the Key Track drawer by displaying the row and column of thekey. Thus user must then locate this row and column to check out thekey. In some cases, users consider this system of identifying andlocating a requested key to be inconvenient and cumbersome and it can besubject to human error.

[0010] Thus, even though the Key Track system has proven very useful,there exists a continuing need to enhance the system by, among otherthings, providing for the tracking of larger and bulkier keys and keycollections, by providing for the tracking and control of the use ofkeys and other articles in the interim between check out and check in,and, in a more general sense, to provide for the tracking and control oflarger or loose items such as jewelry and narcotics. A further needexists for a convenient and more robust method of identifying arequested key or other object to a user so that the user can quicklylocate the object for check-out. It is to the provision of suchenhancements and improvements that the present invention is primarilydirected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Briefly described, the present invention, in one preferredembodiment thereof, comprises enhancements to the Key Track systemdisclosed in my above referenced and incorporated U.S. patents in orderto adapt the system for use in tracking and controlling largecollections of or bulky keys, such as keys on a key ring or remoteaccess transmitter keys, and in tracking and controlling larger or looseobjects other than keys. The invention further comprises improvedmethods, devices, and circuits for identifying a requested key or otherobject to a user visually by activating a light on a tag or boxassociated with the requested object.

[0012] The heart of the first enhancement is a carrier or box adapted tocontain a ring of keys, a larger electronic access key, or objects otherthan keys, such as, for example, jewelry or narcotics. In oneembodiment, the carrier comprises a rectangular box-shaped containerwith an openable door panel on one side. The door panel may be hingedfor access to the container or may be displacably or removably attachedin another way such as by sliding attachment slots. In one configurationfor use with keys on a key ring, the container has a slot on its bottomside and the key ring is provided with an ID tag having a relativelythin plastic tongue carrying a touch memory device. In use, thecontainer is opened and the key ring is placed in the container with itsID tag extending through the slot in the bottom of the container. Thecontainer is then shut to contain the key ring and its keys whereuponthe entire container can be selectively placed in and removed from theKey Track drawer with the protruding ID tag extending into one of thekey tag slots in the drawer. The key ring is thus tracked and access toit controlled in the same manner as a single key attached to atraditional key tag.

[0013] To facilitate the alignment of containers with slots in the KeyTrack drawer, an overlay formed of stamped metal or a wire grid can beattached within the Key Track drawer overlying the slots. The overlaydefines an array of openings, each sized to receive a container. Theopenings are positioned such that when a container is slid into one ofthe openings, the protruding ID tag is directed into one of the slots inthe drawer allowing the controller to read the presence of the ID tagand its key ring within the drawer.

[0014] Another embodiment of the invention is intended for use withbulky keys having built in remote entry transmitters or with remoteentry transmitters not combined with keys. It has previously beendifficult to attach such items to a key tag in the traditional key tracksystem. A smaller container, preferably made of molded plastic, is sizedto contain a remote entry key or transmitter. The container comprisesrectangular box having an open side for access. A tongue, similar to thetongues on the key tags of the Key Track system, is fixed to the bottomwall of the container and depends therefrom. A touch memory device iscarried by the tongue and the tongue is configured to be inserted intothe slots in the Key Track drawer. A sliding panel is adapted to slideonto the container from the bottom side thereof and to cover the openside for closing the container and capturing a key in the container.When a key is closed in the container, the container can be placed inone of the slots in a Key Track drawer with its tongue and touch memorydevice extending into the slot in the traditional way. The attachedcontroller is thus able to detect and track the insertion and subsequentremoval of the container from the drawer. Since the sliding panel isslid onto the box from the bottom to close the container, the panelcannot be removed for access to the key without first removing thecontainer from the Key Track drawer, which will be detected by thecontroller. Thus, since the keys cannot be removed without detection, ameasure of security for relatively expensive remote entry transmittersand keys is provided. In addition, since the key is closed within thecontainer, it is protected and its identity cannot be determined simplyby looking into the Key Track drawer. Only the controller is able toidentify the location of a particular key within the drawer upon aproper query by an authorized user.

[0015] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the carrier and KeyTrack system are enhanced to expand the system beyond its traditionaluse for tracking keys to a general object tracking and control system.This embodiment is particularly useful for tracking valuable objectssuch as jewelry or for tracking the use of controlled substances such asnarcotics and medication. A set of containers is provided, eachcontainer having a box with an open side and a hinged panel that coversthe open side and closes the container. The container is provided with aslot or pocket in which a printed circuit board can be slid. The printedcircuit board carries a memory device storing a ID code and may alsocarry other components such as a microcontroller, ancillary memory, anRF transmitter, an RFID tag, and related components. Conductive pads onthe printed circuit board are coupled to the components on the board forelectronically accessing the components.

[0016] A drawer or other storage receptacle is provided for receivingthe containers of this embodiment. The drawer has an overlay panelformed with an array of openings or bays each sized to receive one ofthe containers. A printed circuit back plane is disposed behind theoverlay panel and has a plurality of sets of conductive contacts, eachset of contacts positioned to engage the conductive pads of acontainer's printed circuit board when the container is inserted intothe corresponding bay. The contacts are wired in a data matrix, which isconnected to a computer-based controller as in the traditional Key Tracksystem. Use of this embodiment is similar to use of the traditional KeyTrack system. The controller detects and logs the removal andreplacement of containers in the drawer by reading the ID codes of thememory devices associated with the containers.

[0017] This embodiment also may include a further enhancement whereinthe printed circuit boards in the containers are more sophisticated andare configured to log the opening and closing of the container betweenthe times when it is checked out and checked back in at the storagedrawer. The container may also be provided with sensors to gather otherinformation in the interim period such as, for example, the times whenthe container passed location transmitters, identification numbers frompatient arm bands or ID buttons, or other information. This informationcan be downloaded to the controller upon check in and correlated withother information to provide valuable data compilations and reports.Such information is useful, for example, in the dispensing of drugs topatients in a hospital, where it is desired to log when the drugs arechecked out, by whom, at what times the container was opened whilechecked out for access to the drugs stored inside, and the identities ofpatients provided with drugs. This information can be correlated tomedication schedules for patients to insure that patients are beingprovided with the proper drugs at the proper times.

[0018] The printed circuit boards of this embodiment can be even furtherenhanced with simple RF transmitters and/or RFID tags available from avariety of manufacturers. RFID tags are adapted to transmit a codeand/or other information to a receiver coupled to the computer-basedcontroller and can be used as an alternative to touch memory devices.Other RF transmitters can be provided if desired to transmit a code uponthe occurrence of prescribed events such as, for example, each time thedoor of the container is opened and its contents accessed. Suchfunctionality provides for real time tracking of access to the containerin the interim between check-out and check-in times.

[0019] In another embodiment of the invention, an object container or akey tag is provided with an LED that, when lit, projects a light that isvisible to a user when observing all the tags and containers within aKey Trak drawer. Circuitry within the container or tag is adapted toactivate the LED when a user requests a key or other trackable objectattached to a tag or contained within a container. In one embodiment,the entire upper portion of a key tag is made of a transparent materialand the LED directs its light into the bottom of this material. In thisway, the edges of the upper portion of the key tag appears to light upwhen a key attached to the tag is requested by a user. Thus, the usercan easily identify the location of and remove a requested key simply bylooking into a crowded Key Track drawer and noting the carrier or tagthat is lighted. Preferably, a delay function is incorporated into thetag so that the LED remains on for a few seconds after the tag isremoved from its slot.

[0020] Thus, an improved and enhanced method and system for tracking andcontrolling keys and other objects is now provided. The traditional KeyTrack system is enhanced to accommodate large numbers of keys on a keyring, bulky or unusually shaped keys and remote entry transmitters, andvaluable or controlled loose objects other than keys. In one embodiment,object containers are provided with active electronics, which tracks andlogs access to the container between the times when it is check out andchecked back in. In another embodiment, an RF transmitter or RFID tag isprovided for radio frequency communication to the controller. Furtherenhancements include lighting a tag or container associated with arequested object to identify it visually to a requesting user. These andother features, objects, and advantages of the invention will becomemore apparent upon review of the detailed description set forth belowtaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures, which arebriefly described as follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a closable carrier usable with theKey Track system to store and track large numbers of keys on a key ring.

[0022]FIG. 2 illustrates the carrier of FIG. 1 inserted in one of theslots of a tray of the Key Track system.

[0023]FIG. 3A illustrates a guide or overlay usable with the Key Tracksystem and carrier of FIG. 1 to align and secure the carrier, preventits opening while mounted in the tray, and to partition the slots of thetray to receive multiple carriers.

[0024]FIG. 3B illustrates another embodiment of the container guide inthe form of a wire grid defining slots for receiving and aligningcarriers.

[0025]FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of an alternate embodimentof the carrier for use with the Key Track system when it is desired totrack unusually shaped or sized keys, such as keys incorporating remoteentry transmitters.

[0026]FIG. 5 is a perspective partially cut-away view of an embodimentof the invention in the form of an object tracking system for trackingobjects such as jewelry or narcotics.

[0027]FIG. 6 is a perspective partially exploded view of the carrier ofthe embodiment of FIG. 5 illustrating the removable printed circuitboard thereof.

[0028]FIG. 7 is a functional electronic schematic diagram showing apreferred circuit for use with the embodiment of FIG. 5.

[0029]FIG. 8 is an exploded view illustrating the mounting of a touchmemory device in a conducting rather than a non conducting tag.

[0030]FIG. 9 is a perspective partially exploded view of a lighted keytag that embodies principles of the invention in one preferredembodiment.

[0031]FIG. 10 is a perspective partially exploded view of a lighted keytag that embodies principles of the invention in an alternate form.

[0032]FIG. 11 is a front plan view of the lighted key tag of FIG. 10illustrating the appearance of the tag when assembled.

[0033]FIG. 12 is an electronic schematic diagram showing an alternateembodiment of a circuit suitable for use in the lighted key tags andlighted containers of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Referring now in more detail to the drawings, in which likenumerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1illustrates a carrier for ringed keys that embodies principles of theinvention in one preferred form. The carrier 11 comprises a generallyrectangular box-shaped body 12 formed by a top panel 13, a bottom panel14, a left side panel 16, a right side panel 17, and a back panel 18. Afront panel 19 preferably is hinged along one side to the edge of theright side panel 17 (or, alternatively to the left or any other sidepanel) to provide a selectively closable hinged door on the carrier.Locking tabs 30 and 35 preferably are provided on the door and box. Thelocking tabs have holes that align with one another when the hinged dooris closed. A lock or tamper evident ring can be inserted through thealigned holes. In this way, the carrier can be locked shut if desired sothat only authorized personnel may access its contents. Alternatively, atamper evident ring that, when cut, indicates that the carrier has beenaccessed may be provided. Finally, the carrier preferably is providedwith an appropriate latch 10, which may be any suitable form of latch,for releasably latching the door shut when closed to hold the key ringsecurely in place.

[0035] The bottom panel 14 is provided with a slot 21 that extends fromthe front edge of the bottom panel to a position inwardly spaced fromthe front edge. A lateral partition 23 spans the left and right sidepanels and a pair of guide walls 20 extend between the partition 23 andthe bottom panel 14 straddling the location of the slot 21 to define aguide slot 22 between the guide walls 20.

[0036] An ID tag 24 is adapted to be received in the guide slot 22 andcomprises a head 26 from which a relatively thin tongue 27 depends. Thehead 26 is sized and shaped to slide, as indicated by arrows 25, intoand fit partially within the guide 22 with its tongue 27 projectingdownwardly through the slot 21. The tongue 27 may be formed of plasticif desired but also may be formed of a more durable and tamper resistantmaterial such as stainless steel or aluminum. A tongue of stainlesssteel or aluminum renders the ID tag much less susceptible to tamperingor defeat by cutting the ID tag and absconding with the keys, althoughit requires electrically isolated mounting of the touch memory device asdescribed in more detail below. The location of the ID tag in the slotas described also serves to locate the key ring and the keys attachedthereto in the upper portion of the carrier. In this way, the keys areisolated from the tag, are held in place in an organized fashion, and donot interfere with operation of the touch memory device.

[0037] The head 26 of the ID tag is adapted to be mounted on a key ringwith a group of keys 31 (only a few of which are shown in FIG. 1 forclarity) and includes a hole for this purpose. A touch memory device,such as DS1990A touch memory device available from Dallas Semiconductor,is attached to and carried by the tongue 27 in a manner similar to thatin which touch memory devices are carried by the key tags in thestandard Key Track system. If the tongue 27 is made of plastic or otherelectrically insulating material, the touch memory device, which has aradially projecting rim at one end, is simply pressed through anappropriately sized hole in the tongue and secured with a mounting ring.In the event the tongue is made of steel, aluminum, or anotherconducting material, it may be necessary first to install an insulatingspacer and then the touch memory device to insulate the touch memorydevice from the conductive mounting material of the tongue (see FIG. 8).In either case, the touch memory device is carried by the tongue asshown.

[0038] In use, the key ring 29 and keys 31 are placed in the carrier 11as indicated by arrows 25 with the head 26 of the ID tag 24 beinginserted into the guide 22 such that its tongue 27 projects downwardlyfrom the container 12 through the slot 21. When so inserted, the keysand key ring reside in the upper portion of the carrier above thelocation of the partition 23 and the tongue 27 with its touch memorydevice projects downwardly from the bottom panel 14 through the slot 21.The front panel 19 can then be hinged shut to enclose and contain thekeys and keep them from flopping about. The front panel can bereleasably latched shut with latch 10 if desired and a lock or tamperevident ring can be installed in the locking tabs 30 and 35 for enhancedsecurity.

[0039] When the front panel 19 is closed, the carrier 111 with keysinside forms a rectangular box as illustrated in FIG. 2 with the tongue27 of the ID tag projecting downwardly from the bottom panel 14 of thebox. The carrier can then be inserted into a Key Track tray 32 with thetongue of the ID tag extending into one of the slots 33 of the tray toengage the touch memory device with the pair of electrical contactscorresponding to the slot. The ID code stored in the touch memory devicecan then be read by the attached computer-based controller to determinethe presence and location in the tray of the keys associated with the IDtag and to determine when the carrier and its keys are removed. Theprocess, structure, and electronics for reading the touch memory deviceis described in detail in my U.S. Pat. No. 5,801,628 and also disclosedin the manufacturer's specifications and thus need not be described indetail here.

[0040] It will be noted from FIG. 2 that, when the carrier of theillustrated embodiment is inserted in a selected slot of the key trackstorage tray 32, the carrier covers the two slots of the tray on eitherside of the slot in which its ID tag extends, rendering these slotsunavailable for use by other key tags or carriers. While the carrier isshown to cover two slots in FIG. 2, it will be understood that less ormore slots might be covered and rendered inaccessible depending upon thesize of the carrier. This does not represent a particular disadvantage,however, since the controller will simply read that the covered slotsare unoccupied and key tags inserted in other available slots will stillbe detected and identified when they are present. Although a Key Trackdrawer will accommodate fewer carriers than traditional key tags, theadvantage of tracking and controlling large numbers of keys on key ringsin the same way that single keys on key tags are tracked far outweighsthe disadvantage of any reduced capacity of the drawer. As detailedbelow, custom overlays or custom trays may also be used to accommodatethe carriers if desired. Further, additional drawers can be added to thesystem as need to accommodate larger numbers of key tags and carriersand any mix of object carriers and key tags can be used with theexisting drawer configuration of the Key Track system.

[0041]FIG. 3A illustrates an enhancement of the carrier system of FIGS.1 and 2. Here, an overlay or guide 36 is provided for covering a row ofslots 33 in the Key Track tray and providing a positioning guide for aplurality of carriers 11. The guide 36, which can be formed of punchedand bent sheet metal, comprises opposed sides 37 and opposed ends 38(only one end is visible in FIG. 3) that form a generally rectangularbox shaped structure. A flange 39 is provided at the bottom of each end38 and holes 41 are bored in the flange for attaching and securing theguide 36 to the Key Track tray 32. The top 40 of the guide 36 is formedto define at least one socket or receptacle 42 that is sized to receivethe carrier 11 therein. Preferably, the receptacle 42 is provided withguide flanges 43 projecting downwardly therefrom to guide the carrier 11into the receptacle when it is inserted therein as indicated by arrows46.

[0042] Additional receptacles 44 are also provided in the guide 36extending therealong and defining an array of carrier receptacles. Theguide 36 thus functions to provide an array of receptacles for receivingcarriers 11 with each socket properly aligning its respective carrierwith a selected slot 33 in the Key Track tray. In addition, thereceptacles hold the hinged front panels 19 of the carriers shut whenthey are in position within the receptacles. This is important becauseit prevents a thief from opening the receptacle without first removingit from the tray, which will be detected by the controller. If anunauthorized removal is detected by the controller, appropriate alarmscan be generated and actions taken to alert security personnel. Thus, anextra measure of security is provided by the overlay.

[0043]FIG. 3B illustrates an alternate embodiment of a carrier guide oroverlay for attachment to a Key Track tray to partition the tray intoreceptacles for receiving carriers. In this embodiment, the tray 32 of akey track drawer is shown with an array of slots 33 for receivingtongues of key tags bearing touch memory devices. A carrier 11, aspreviously described, is formed of a box 16 and a closable hinged door19. A tongue 27 depends from the carrier and bears a touch memory device28. a wire frame guide 141 is formed with spaced apart elongated rails142 bridged by a set of spaced apart connecting segments 144. The rails142 and connecting segments 144 define an array of rectangularreceptacles, each sized to receive a carrier 11, as indicated by thearrows in FIG. 3B.

[0044] Vertically depending legs 146 project downwardly from the rails142 and 143 and are anchored to the key track tray with appropriatefasteners such as shoulders and bolts. The legs 146 secure the wireframe guide to the key track tray and properly position the rectangularreceptacles so that when a carrier 11 is inserted into one of thereceptacles, the tongue 27 thereof is directed into one of the slots 33.Thus, the wire frame guide performs a function similar to that of theguide of FIG. 3A, but with a less expensive wire frame structure.Further, since the wire frame is more open than a bent metal guide, theslots 33 can be used with traditional key tags when not holding acarrier and much better visibility is provided for visually identifyingthe objects in the tray. A simple two row guide is shown in FIG. 3B. Itshould be understood, however, that multiple row guides are possible andwithin the scope of the invention. Indeed, the entire key track panelcould be overlaid with a wire grid allowing insertion of carriers and/orkey tags in any combination. Further, the us of guides such as thoseillustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B allows the carriers' of this invention tobe used with vertically oriented panels and backplanes that may be, forexample, mounted on a wall. More efficient storage configurations aretherefore possible.

[0045]FIG. 4 illustrates another carrier for use with the Key Tracksystem. This carrier is designed to allow odd shaped, bulky, orexpensive keys to be tracked with the key track system in the same wayas a loose key attached to an ID tag. These types of keys include keys,such as key 71, with large heads that incorporate transmitters forremotely locking and unlocking the doors of a vehicle to which theycorrespond. Remote door lock transmitters not incorporated into thevehicle key can also be tracked as well as other small items. Thecarrier 56 comprises a case 57, which can be made of molded plastic orother appropriate material. The case 57 is formed by a right side panel58, a left side panel 59, a top panel 61, a bottom panel 62, and a backpanel 63, which, in the preferred embodiment, are unitarily molded ofplastic. The side panels 58 and 59 are formed with respective grooves orraces 64 and 66 that extend along the outside top edges thereof. Thegrooves 64 and 66 are shaped and sized for slidably receiving a slidingcover 67 having depending sides or skirts 68 on three sides thereof.Inwardly opposed ribs (not visible in FIG. 4) are formed on the insideportions of the side skirts 68 and are sized and positioned to slideinto the grooves 64 and 66 when the sliding cover 67 is moved onto thecase 57 as indicated by arrows 69. In this way, the case can be closedwith a key or other item inside by sliding the cover onto the case.

[0046] An ID tab 72 is provided with a touch memory or other ID device73 and is secured at one end to the bottom panel 62 of the case 57. TheID tab is sized and configured to be inserted into a selected slot of aKey Track tray. In use, a key 71 is placed in the carrier and closedtherein by sliding the sliding cover 67 into place. Preferably, the keyis secured to the box with a loop of cabling or other appropriate tether(not shown) to prevent the box from becoming separated from its key. Thecarrier is then stored on the Key Track tray by inserting its ID tabinto a selected slot of the tray. The Key Track controller can thentrack and control access to the key within the carrier in the usual way.Preferably, the carrier 57 is sized to take up no more than one space onthe Key Track tray so that other key tags or carriers can be insertedinto adjacent slots of the tray.

[0047] The carriers of FIGS. 1 through 4 have been described in terms ofthe storage and tracking of keys. It will be clear to those of ordinaryskill in the art, however, that a wide variety of items can be stored inthe carriers and thus tracked by the key track controller. For example,use of these carriers might convert a car key tracking system into asystem for tracking jewelry, narcotics, or other small valuable ordangerous items. An added advantage when tracking such items is that theitems are concealed and hidden within their carriers. Accordingly, onlythe Key Track controller is able to inform an authorized user of thelocation within the drawer of each item. An unauthorized user or wouldbe thief cannot simply look into a drawer full of carriers and locateany particular item. Other uses for the carriers of this invention mightbe conceived by those of skill in the art such that, clearly, thepresent invention is not intended to be limited just to the storage andtracking of keys.

[0048]FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an object tracking and control systemthat embodies principles of the present inventions in yet another form.The object tracking system illustrated in these figures can be used tostore, monitor, and track a wide variety of items from automotive keysand apartment keys to narcotics and jewelry, to important files orpapers. The system comprises a carrier 81 that, in the illustratedembodiment, is a rectangular box, for containing items to be tracked andcontrolled. The carrier 81 is sized to be received in a rectangularsocket 82 formed in the surface of a receptacle panel 83. The panel 83may be formed with a large array of receptacles for receiving andcontinuing a corresponding large number of carriers.

[0049] A back plane 84 is mounted behind or beneath the receptacle panel83 and preferably is spaced therefrom a distance substantially equal tothe height of the rectangular carrier 81. In this way, when the carrieris inserted into the receptacle 82 to the back plane, its top panel 86is substantially flush with the surface of the receptacle panel 83. Asdescribed in more detail below, this configuration inhibits a thief fromremoving the carrier from the receptacle panel by force.

[0050] It will be understood that while only one receptacle and onecarrier is illustrated in FIG. 5 for clarity of description, a completesystem preferably would include a receptacle panel formed with an arrayof a plurality of receptacles for receiving a plurality of carriers.

[0051] In addition to its top panel 86, the carrier 81 is formed with abottom panel 87, a left side panel 88, a right side panel 89, a backpanel 91, and a hinged front panel 92 (FIG. 6). The back panel 91 in thepreferred embodiment is formed with a slot or pocket 108 that extendsfrom the bottom panel 87 to the top panel 86. The pocket 108 has anopening 96 formed therein adjacent the bottom panel of the carrier. Thepocket is sized to receive and hold a relatively narrow printed circuitboard 93 with a portion of the bottom edge of the printed circuit boardexposed through the opening 96 for purposes described in more detailbelow.

[0052] The lower left-hand corner of the carrier 81 is formed with alatch 99 defined by a sloped strike 101 and an indentation 102. Asolenoid and plunger assembly 103 is mounted to the back plane 84 at aposition adjacent the location of the latch 99 by means of anappropriate mounting bracket (omitted from FIG. 5 for clarity). Theassembly 103 includes a plunger 104 that is spring biased to itsextended position (the spring assembly is not shown in FIG. 5 but springbiased solenoid assemblies are available commercially, are well known tothose of skill in the art, and can be retracted by application of acontrol voltage to the solenoid). The strike 101 formed on the carrieris positioned to engage and retract the spring biased plunger 104 of thesolenoid 103 when the carrier is inserted into the receptacle 82. Whenthe carrier is fully inserted, the plunger 104 snaps into theindentation 102 to lock the carrier in place within the receptacle. Thecarrier can be released with an appropriate control signal from thecontroller to retract the plunger 104 from the indentation 102. Thus thestrike and plunger form an electronically releasable lock that securesthe carrier in place in its receptacle until an appropriate signal isprovided by the controller. Similar locks can also be provided with thecarrier embodiments of FIGS. 1 through 4 if desired.

[0053] A leaf spring or other spring 107 preferably is provided forexerting upward biasing force on a carrier locked in the receptacle. Inthis way, when the carrier is released by applying an appropriatecontrol signal to the solenoid 103 to retract its plunger, the leafspring causes the carrier to “pop” up out of the receptacle so that itcan be grasped for removal.

[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 5 and perhaps best seen in FIG. 6, thecircuit board 93 within the pocket 108 is etched to expose a set ofconductive pads 94 positioned to be exposed through the opening of thepocket 96 when the circuit board is in place therein. A set ofcorresponding contacts 97 (FIG. 5) are fixed to the back plane 84 andare positioned for electrically contacting the conducting pads 94 whenthe carrier is inserted completely into the receptacle 82. The contacts97 are coupled through a data matrix or other appropriate communicationsbuss to a remote computer-based controller as described in my prior U.S.patents for connecting the electronic components of the circuit board tothe controller.

[0055] Referring now to FIG. 6, the carrier 81 is illustrated with itshinged front panel 92 (which may also be a sliding or other appropriatetype of panel) open and with the circuit board 93 displaced from thepocket 108 of the carrier. Arrows 112 indicate insertion of the circuitboard 93 into the pocket 108. Once a circuit board is inserted andlocked into place within a carrier, it becomes associated with thecarrier and thus associated with articles stored in the carrier.

[0056] The circuit board 93 carries integrated circuit components forperforming the method of the invention. In one embodiment, for example,the circuit board 93 is provided with a touch memory chip such as thetouch memory devices provided on ID tags as discussed above. In thiscase, the chip preferably is surface mounted to the board to save spacerather than being housed in a metal case or button. However, the primaryfunction of the memory chip remains the same; that is, to store andtransmit its unique internal code when appropriately polled with apolling signal. The memory chip is electrically coupled to theconducting pads 94 at the bottom of the circuit board and the contacts97 on the back plane are configured and positioned to engage theconductive pads for receiving the ID code of the memory device andtransmit it through the data matrix to the controller for detecting theabsence or presence and location of the associated carrier within one ofthe receptacles.

[0057] Alternatively, the circuit board might be provided with moresophisticated electronics including a microcontroller or microprocessor118 and associated components including a crystal 121 and battery 119. Awide variety of configurations are possible and a simple circuit isdepicted in FIG. 6 for clarity. The microcontroller, which includesinternal memory, may be coupled to an integrated circuit RF transmitterthat can be actuated by the microcontroller. A reed switch 113 can becoupled to the front panel of the carrier for communicating a signal tothe microcontroller 118 whenever the front panel 92 of the carrier isopened or closed. A light emitting diode (LED) 98 is provided at the topof the circuit board 93 and projects through an opening 111 in the topof the carrier when the board is inserted into the pocket 108.Preferably, the microcontroller is programmed to light the LED wheneverthe carrier is selected by the system controller of the tracking system.In this way, a user can easily find a selected carrier by identifyingthe carrier to the controller, whereupon the controller lights the LEDof the selected carrier and releases it by actuating the appropriatesolenoid.

[0058] The embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 has many and varied applications.For example, the microcontroller 118 preferably is programmed such that,during the time the carrier is removed from its storage location, arecord is kept in the memory of the microcontroller of the times whenthe hinged front panel of the carrier is open or closed. When thecarrier is returned to its storage location, this stored data isdownloaded and becomes a record of the use of the carrier and itscontents between the times it was checked-out and checked back in.

[0059] Alternatively, the microcontroller can be programmed to activatethe RF transmitter at intermittent times while the carrier is checkedout or to activate the transmitter whenever the door of the carrier isopened or closed. This information, when transmitted back to the maincomputer based controller, can be tallied in real time as a means oftracking use of the contents of the carrier. These capabilities areuseful in a wide variety of situations such as, for example, to tracknot only when medication was checked out to give to a patient, but thetime at which the carrier was opened to administer the medication.Questions about medication delivery can thus be readily answered. A widevariety of other sensors and data gathering capabilities can be providedin such a carrier embodiment including, but not limited to, biometricsinformation, time and ambient temperature information, informationgathered through data ports, and information from various types of onboard switches. Further, with on board intelligence, enhancedsubstantially autonomous functionality is possible. For example, thecarrier may be provided with an internal lock that is activated onlywhen an authorized user has checked out or attempts to open the carrier.

[0060] Another use of the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 is in trackingkeys to an apartment complex. One carrier might, for example, house keysto an entire floor of apartments with each key coupled to themicrocontroller so that the microcontroller can detect when a specifickey is removed. A detailed record of when the key set was checked outand when each specific key was removed from the carrier is thus easilymaintained for use in verifying when personnel had access to particularapartments. The use of RF transmitters associated with objects expandsthe effectiveness of tracking systems greatly.

[0061]FIG. 7 is a functional schematic diagram of a circuit usable inthe implementation of the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6. The circuitcomprises an addressable switch in the form of an integrated circuitcoupled to the ground, data, and Vin pads of the circuit board. Theswitch can be a DS2407 or DS2405 addressable switch chip available fromDallas Semiconductors, or any other appropriate integrated circuit chipor discrete components suitable for performing the method of theinvention. All such chips and components are specifically incorporatedherein by reference and are equivalent to the specific chips disclosedin the preferred embodiments.

[0062] I/O 1 of the addressable switch 140 in the embodiment illustratedin FIG. 7 is coupled through an LED 141 and a current limiting resistor142 to supply voltage Vin, which, is one embodiment, is supplied fromthe backplane through one of the contacts 94 (FIG. 6). In anotherembodiment, and as an alternative to supplying Vin from the backplane ofan object tracking system, a battery 143 can be provided on the circuitboard, in which case only two pads 94 (FIG. 6), one for a data line andone for a ground, are required.

[0063] In the circuit of FIG. 7, I/O 2 of the addressable switch 140 iscoupled to an on board sensor, which may be a loop detector sensor todetect when an object is removed from the carrier, a reed switch todetect opening of the carrier, of another type of sensor depending onthe intended use of the system. Other I/O ports may be provided on someversions of the addressable switch 14 o and these may be coupled toother switches or elements, such as locks, latches, etc., for detectingor activating such elements as desired. In use, data can be provided toor read from the addressable switch 141 through the backplane of anobject control system. In this way, the central controller of the systemis able to download information from the switch regarding eventsrecorded in the interim between check out and check in of the carrier,upload instructions to the carrier to, for example, turn on its LED,unlock its cover, or otherwise, by appropriately activating one or moreof the I/O ports.

[0064]FIG. 8 illustrates a preferred method of attaching or mounting atouch memory device to a steel, aluminum, or other conducting platematerial, which may be used instead of a plastic tongue for addedsecurity. An opening is formed in the conductive mounting material 150and the opening is sized for receiving an insulation spacer 152 throughwhich a touch memory ID button is received. An insulating washer 153 issecured around the touch memory button on the other side of the mountingmaterial and a crimp ring is secured around the touch memory button tosecure it firmly in place within the opening. In this way, touch memorybuttons can be mounted in metal tags for added security while remainingelectrically isolated from the tags, which is required for properoperation.

[0065] FIGS. 9-12 depict further embodiments of the identification ofrequested trackable objects with light as shown in FIGS. 5-7 anddiscussed above relative to those figures. Whereas in the embodiment ofFIGS. 5-7, this concept was applied to a trackable object in the form ofa container, in the embodiments of FIGS. 9-12 it is applied to a key tagof the type usable with a Key Track system such as those disclosed in myprior patents, which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0066]FIG. 9 illustrates a lighted key tag that embodies principles ofthe invention in one preferred form. The key tag 201 comprises a lowerportion 202, a mid portion 204 and an upper portion 203. The mid portion204 in this embodiment includes a protective housing formed by a firsthousing section 206 and a second housing section 207 (shown in explodedperspective in FIG. 9) that are joined together with adhesive orappropriate fasteners to complete the protective housing. The protectivehousing encloses and protects the upper section 209 of a printed circuitboard (PCB), the lower section 208 of which projects downwardly from theprotective housing to form the lower portion 202 of the key tag. Theupper section 209 of the PCB carries an electronic circuit 211,described in more detail below, which is made up of various electroniccomponents. The electronic circuit thus is also enclosed within andprotected by the housing of the mid section 204 when the two housingsections 206 and 207 are joined together.

[0067] The lower section 208 of the PCB, which defines the lower portion202 of the key tag, carries electrically conductive pads 212 that areconfigured and positioned to couple with corresponding electricalcontacts of a Key Track system when the lower portion 202 of the key tagis inserted in a slot 210 of the system. In the preferred embodiment, aconductive pad is formed on each side of the lower portion (the pad onone side is hidden in FIG. 9) and one pad bulges or protrudes outwardlyso that the key tag is polarized to be inserted in only one orientationinto a polarized slot 210 of the Key Track system. The conductive padsare electrically coupled via traces 213 to the electronic circuit 211 tocouple the controller of the Key Track system to the electronic circuit.It will thus be seen that the lower portion 202 of the key tag 201 formsa downwardly depending tongue that corresponds to the downwardlydepending tongue of a standard key tag such as that disclosed in theincorporated patents. Thus, the lighted key tag of the present inventionis completely compatible with a Key Track system and can be intermixedwith standard key tags, key boxes, and other trackable objects asdesired.

[0068] The upper portion 203 of the key tag 201 is securely mountedwithin the mid portion 204 of the tag and has a bottom edge thatgenerally abuts the top edge of the PCB within the mid portion. Theupper portion 203 extends upwardly from the mid portion 206 to a topedge that, in this embodiment, is shaped with tapers to resemble the topedge of a standard key tag. The upper portion 302 also has verticallyextending side edges that merge with the top edge thereof. A keyattachment hole 217 is bored through the upper portion 203 of the keytag adjacent the top edge thereof. The hole 217 is sized to receive arivet 219 or other appropriate fastener for securely fastening a key (orkeys) 218 to the key tag in the same way that a key is attached to astandard key tag of a Key Track system. It will be understood in view ofthe forgoing and upon review of the incorporated patents that the keytag of FIG. 9 is somewhat similar in size and appearance to a standardplastic key tag of a Key Track system and, in fact, is configured to beused by a user of such a system just as a standard key tag would beused. However, the key tag of this invention provides distinctadvantages over a standard key tag, as will become apparent from thecontinuing description below.

[0069] The upper portion 203 of the key tag of FIG. 9 is made of anoptically transparent or at least partially transparent material such asa clear or colored plastic, Plexiglas, or other appropriate material.The upper portion 203 therefore forms a light pipe or light guide thatis capable, as a result of the physics of total internal reflection, ofdirecting light along its length with very little loss of light throughits side faces. In this regard, the light guide formed by thetransparent upper portion 203 functions in a manner similar to a fiberoptic cable, which also can conduct light for long distances with verylittle loss. The electronic circuit (detailed below) includes a lightsource in the form of an LED 216. The LED is activated and lighted bythe electronic circuit when the key tag 201 is stored in a Key Tracksystem and is addressed by the system in response to a user request forthe particular key 218 attached to the tag. The LED in the illustratedembodiment is mounted at the top of the upper section 209 of the PCBwithin the mid section of the tag. The LED is oriented or aimed suchthat, when lighted, the LED projects its light into the bottom edge ofthe light guide that is formed by the transparent material of the upperportion 203. In the illustrated embodiment, a small notch is formed inthe bottom edge of the light guide to accommodate the LED, but scores ofother configurations of the LED and bottom edge of the light guide arepossible so long as the light from the LED is aimed and projected intothe light guide.

[0070] It should be appreciated in view of the forgoing that when theLED 216 is lighted upon a request by a user for the key 218, the lightprojected from the LED into the light guide is carried or directedupwardly within and spreads throughout the upper portion 203 of the keytag. When this light reaches the vertical side edges and top edge of thelight guide, it exits the light guide and is projected outwardly fromthe edges of the key tag as indicated by rays in FIG. 9. In fact and inpractice, the light emitted from the edges of the light guide issurprisingly brilliant with the effect that the edges of the upperportion 203 of the key tag become very noticeably bright red (or anothercolor depending upon the color of the LED) and the tag is renderedhighly visible among a plurality of unlit tags. The visibility of theselected tag can be enhanced even further if the LEDs are caused toflash when the key tag is addressed. As a result, from a Key Tracksystem user's point of view, when a key stored in the Key Track systemis requested by the user through the computer interface of the system,the lighted key tag 201 to which the requested key is attached lights upto identify the requested key visually to the user so that he may removethe key for use. The somewhat cumbersome process of reading on acomputer screen the row and column within a Key Track drawer of therequested key and manually locating that position within the drawer tofind the key is eliminated, as is the likelihood of human errorassociated selecting the proper tag and key. The user simply requests aparticular key and removes the lighted key tag from the drawer. In thepreferred embodiment, the tag stays lighted for a few seconds after itis removed as a confirmation that the correct key tag has been drawnfrom the system.

[0071] As mentioned above, a light guide such as that of FIG. 9 directslight efficiently along its length with very little loss of lightthrough its side faces. This has the potential of causing a problem if aKey Track system user happens to be viewing tags in the system from aperspective in which the edges of the tags are not visible but the sidefaces are. In this situation, the user might not easily discern alighted tag from unlighted tags. To address this problem, adiscontinuity 221 is formed in one or both faces of the upper portion ofthe key tag 201. In the illustrated embodiment, the discontinuity 221takes the form of one or more grooves scored in the face. However, itcould take other forms such as, for instance, bumps, depressions, raisedareas, roughened areas, etc. formed on the face such that the term“discontinuity” as used herein includes any suitable configuration offeatures that may be formed on the face. In any event, the discontinuity211, by breaking the smooth surface of the face, diverts some of thelight propagating up the light guide out the side face thereof. As aresult, a lighted tag is now clearly visible either from an edgeperspective or from a face perspective and can be identified easily by auser regardless of his viewing angle.

[0072]FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate yet another embodiment of a lighted keytag according to the present invention. In many respects, the key tag ofthis embodiment is similar to that of the previously discussedembodiment such that further detailed discussion of these aspects of thetag is not required here. The main difference between the twoembodiments is that the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11 does not make useof a light guide to light the tag but rather simply positions LED'sthemselves at selected locations on the tag so that they are visible toa user. Referring in more detail to FIGS. 10 and 11, a key tag 230comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) 226 and a housing 236 that isconfigured to be slipped over, receive, and house the upper portion ofthe PCB. When so joined (FIG. 11) the key tag resembles in many respectsa standard key tag disclosed in the incorporated references in that ithas a depending tongue configured to be received in a slot of a KeyTrack system and an upper portion, formed by the housing, that projectsupwardly from the slot and to which a key or keys are securely affixed.The PCB 226 has a lower portion 227, which forms the tongue of theassembled tag, and an upper portion 228 that is disposed within thehousing of the assembled tag. The lower portion 227 is provided with araised conductive pad 229 on one side and a flush conductive pad (notvisible) on the opposite side. As with the prior embodiment, these padsinsure that the tag is inserted in a Key Track slot in the correctorientation and connect with connectors of the system for communicatingwith a system controller. The upper portion 228 of the PCB carries thecomponents of an electronic circuit 231, which includes a battery 232, afirst LED 233, and a second surface mount LED 234. The conductive padson the tongue are connected to the circuit 231 and, as with previouslydiscussed embodiments, the circuit is configured to activate the LEDswhen the tag is in a Key Track system slot and its key is requested by auser of the system. The PCB is also formed with a key attachment hole235 adjacent its top edge and a locking or retainer slot 230 adjacentits right edge, for purposes detailed below.

[0073] The housing 236 has an internal compartment terminating in a slot240 with the slot and compartment being configured to receive the upperportion 228 of the PCB. The housing is sized such that when it is slidover the PCB, the electronic circuit 231 is enclosed within andprotected by the housing with only the lower portion 227 and itsconductive pads depending from the housing for insertion into a slot ofa Key Track system (FIG. 11). The housing is formed with an internalretainer bolt 241 that is sized and positioned in the interiorcompartment of the housing such that when the housing is slid onto thePCB, the retainer bolt 241 snaps into the retainer slot 230 to lock thehousing and PCB securely together. Many other methods of locking the twocomponents together are also possible and all should be considered to bewithin the scope of the invention. A hinged flap 300 may be incorporatedinto the slot if desired to close against the PCB after the electroniccomponents are completely within the housing to protect the interior ofthe housing from dust and tampering.

[0074] The housing 236 is further formed with a key attachment hole 237that aligns with the hole 235 in the PCB when the two components areassembled so that a key or keys can be securely attached to the tag witha rivet or other fastener extending through the aligned holes. A lightopening 238, which may or may not include a integral lens, is formed inthe top edge of the housing 236 and a similar light opening 239 isformed in the side face of the housing. The light openings 238 and 239are positioned to align with the LEDs 233 and 234 respectively when thehousing and PCB are joined so that light emitted from the LED's can beseen through the holes. Thus, the LED's, when lit, project their lightupwardly from the top edge of the key tag and sidewise from the sideface of the tag. As with the prior embodiment, when a user requests akey associated with a key tag stored in a Key Track system, the circuit231 of that key tag lights the LEDs 233 and 234, which, in turn,identify the requested key to the user regardless of the viewingperspective of the user.

[0075]FIG. 12 is an electronic schematic illustrating a preferredembodiment of the electronic circuits 211 and 231 of the key tags inFIGS. 10 and 11 respectively. The circuit is virtually the same as thecircuit of FIG. 7 with the battery alternative implemented rather thandrawing power from the Key Track system through a third conductive padon the tongue of the key tag. In this way, the lighted tags of thisinvention function with existing two wire Key Track systems such asthose disclosed in the incorporated patents. Referring in more detail toFIG. 12, the circuit, as is the circuit in FIG. 7, is based around anaddressable switch chip that stores a unique identification code andthat can be addressed by that code to cause the chip to set its I/O portor ports high or low or to toggle them depending upon the particularchip chosen. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 12, the addressableswitch chip is a DS2405 addressable switch available from DallasSemiconductor that sets its I/O port low (i.e. connects it to the groundpin) when the chip is addressed. However, this particular chip is not alimitation of the invention and other addressable switches may besubstituted. Indeed, any chip, whether or not it is formally known as an“addressable switch,” that can be configured to respond in a mannerusable to light an LED when addressed by a controller is contemplated tobe within the scope of this invention and is included within the meaningof the term “addressable switch” as used herein.

[0076] The addressable switch in the circuit of FIG. 12 has a data pin,a ground pin, and a input/output or PI/O pin. The data pin iselectrically connected to the conductive pad of a key tag used foraddressing the switch and the ground pin is connected to the ground ordata return conductive pad. The pads, in turn, connect the addressableswitch to the computer controller through electrical contacts when a keytag is inserted into a slot of a Key Track system. A zener diode D1 maybe connected between the data and ground pins of the addressable switchif desired to protect the switch against voltage spikes andelectrostatic discharges. The I/O pin of the addressable switch isconnected to the base of transistor Q1, which is configured as a switch.The transistor Q1 may be a BSS84 P-Channel Enhancement Mode VerticalDMOS FET or any other suitable transistor capable of switchingsufficient current to operate an LED. A current limiting resistor R3 isconnected in series with the I/O addressable switch to limit currentthrough the addressable switch chip and to provide a short protectivetime buffer. The transistor QI is configured to switch on when the I/Opin of the addressable switch is set low and pulls the base of thetransistor low as a result of the addressable switch being addressedwith its unique identification code. One or more LED's, depending uponthe key tag embodiment, is connected in series with the transistor Q1through a current limiting resistor R1. Power for lighting the LED isprovided by a battery, which, in the preferred embodiment, is a 3VLithium Ion battery for long reliable life. It will thus be seen thatwhen the addressable switch in a key tag is addressed by a Key Trackcontroller with the identification code of the switch, the I/O pin ofthe switch is pulled low, which causes transistor Q1 to switch onthereby lighting the LED.

[0077] It has been noted during development of lighted key tags that theLED shuts off when the key tag is removed from its slot because the I/Oport of the addressable switch resets to a floating state and is pulledhigh immediately by the battery. However, it is desirable for the keytag to stay lighted for a short period after it is removed from its slotas a confirmation to the user that the correct tag has indeed beenremoved from the Key Track system. In order to address this need, thecircuit of FIG. 12 includes a delay function provided by capacitor C1and resistor R2. Briefly, this delay circuit functions as follows. Thetransistor Q1 is on (conducting) when its base is low. Accordingly, whenthe addressable switch is addressed and sets its I/O pin low inresponse, the base of the transistor is pulled low through resistor R3and the transistor turns on to light the LED. When the key tag isremoved from its slot, the disconnection immediately causes the I/O pinof the addressable switch to float (i.e. it is no longer connected tothe ground pin). This normally would cause the transistor to turn offimmediately since its base would be pulled high instantly by thepositive terminal of the battery. However, with the delay function inplace, the capacitor C1 begins to charge slowly through resistor R2according to a time constant determined by the values of resistance andcapacitance (about 2-3 seconds for example). When the capacitor chargesto a voltage above the turn-on threshold of the transistor, thetransistor turns off and the LED is extinguished. Accordingly, when thekey tag is removed from its slot, the tag remains lighted for a shortperiod of time (2-3 seconds) to confirm to the user that he has pulledthe correct tag. The delay circuit also addresses the tendency of theLEDs to flash or blink intermittently when the key tags are in theirslots due to unexpected data matrix events such as shorts.

[0078] The invention has been described herein in terms of preferredembodiments and methodologies. It will be clear to those of skill in theart, however, that various additions, deletions, and modifications mightwell be made to the illustrated embodiments within the scope of theinvention. For example, the tag lighting technique of FIG. 9 wherein aportion of the tag forms a clear light guide also is applicable to keyboxes such as the key box illustrated in FIG. 6. In such a key box, oneside of the box or the entire box might be fabricated of a transparentplastic or other material that forms a light guide for directing lightupwardly to the exposed top of the box. While not specifically discussedabove, it has also been found advantageous to include a simple flashingcircuit to cause the LEDs of key tags to flash rather than just turningon when the tags are addressed. Also, while plastics are consideredideal materials for forming many of the components of the lighted tagsand PCB material ideal for carrying electronic components, thesematerials are not limiting to the invention and any suitable materialmay be selected for any of the components of the tags, all within thescope of the invention. These and numerous other additions, deletions,and modifications might well be made to the preferred embodimentsdisclosed herein without department from the spirit and scope of theinvention as set forth in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a key tracking system wherein a plurality ofkeys are each attached to a trackable object and are removably storablein a storage unit, the keys being individually requestable by a user viaa computer controller coupled to said storage unit, the improvementcomprising an LED on each trackable object and an electronic circuit ineach trackable object coupled to said LED, each of said electroniccircuits being adapted to light its LED when a key attached to thetrackable object is requested by the user to identify to the user thelocation of the requested key within the storage unit.
 2. Theimprovement of claim 1 and wherein said storage unit has a plurality ofslots for receiving trackable objects stored in said storage unit andwherein each of said trackable objects comprises a key tag having alower portion configured to be received in a selected slot when said keytag is stored in said storage unit.
 3. The improvement of claim 2 andwherein each key has an upper portion that projects upwardly from a slotin which said key tag is received and to which keys associated with saidkey tag are affixed and wherein said LED, when activated, projects lightat least upwardly from said upper portion of said key tag.
 4. Theimprovement of claim 3 and wherein said LED is disposed at a top edge ofsaid upper portion of said key tag and projects light upwardly therefromsuch that the lighted LED is visible to a user from the top of said keytag.
 5. The improvement of claim 4 and further comprising a second LEDdisposed on a side of said upper portion of said key tag and coupled toelectronic circuit for projecting light sidewardly therefrom whenactivated such that the lighted second LED is visible to a user from theside of said key tag.
 6. The improvement of claim 3 and wherein saidupper portion of said key includes an upwardly extending light guidehaving a bottom end and a top end terminating at a top edge of saidupper portion, said LED positioned to project light into said bottom endof said light pipe.
 7. The improvement of claim 6 and wherein said upperportion of said key tag is made of an at least partially transparentmaterial that forms said light guide, the light from said LEDpropagating upwardly through said upper portion and projecting fromedges of said upper portion when said LED is activated.
 8. Theimprovement of claim 7 and further comprising a discontinuity formed inat least one side of said upper portion, said discontinuity diverting aportion of the light from said LED sidewise of said upper portion.
 9. Akey tag for use in a Key Track system, said key tag comprising: a lowerportion bearing contacts for coupling with the Key Track system; a midportion housing an electronic circuit that includes memory storing anidentification code uniquely identifying said key tag and a key attachedthereto, said electronic circuit being addressable by said Key Tracksystem; an upper portion to which a key associated with said key tag maybe affixed; an LED coupled to said electronic circuit, said electroniccircuit lighting said LED when addressed by said Key Track system; saidLED, when lighted, projecting light at least upwardly from said upperportion of said key tag to identify said key tag visually to a user ofsaid Key Track system.
 10. A key tag as claimed in claim 9 and whereinsaid LED is located at a top edge of said upper portion.
 11. A key tagas claimed in claim 10 and further comprising a second LED coupled tosaid electronic circuit, said second LED being located on a side of saidupper portion.
 12. A key tag as claimed in claim 9 and wherein saidelectronic circuit maintains said LED lighted for a predetermined periodof time after being addressed by said Key Track system.
 13. A key tag asclaimed in claim 9 and wherein said upper portion of said key tag formsa light guide, said LED, when lit, projecting light upwardly throughsaid light guide to be emitted from exposed edges of said upper portion.14. A key tag as claimed in claim 13 and wherein said LED is located insaid mid portion of said key tag and is located and oriented to projectlight into said light guide formed by said upper portion when lighted.15. A key tag as claimed in claim 13 and further comprising at least onefeature formed on a side of said upper portion for diverting some ofsaid light from said light guide sidewise of said upper portion of saidkey tag.
 16. A key tag as claimed in claim 15 and wherein said featureincludes grooves.